Google TV may not be as hot as Google hoped it would be, but products like the new VIZIO Co-Star may be exactly what’s needed to excite consumers looking to turn their ho-hum flat panels into a true smart TV. The VIZIO Co-Star with Google TV box will give users access to media rich apps like YouTube, Netflix and Amazon Instant Video, but it will also take the device’s entertainment value to the next level by being the first Google TV device to be paired with OnLive’s streaming Game Service.

As you might expect, VIZIO is looking to beat its competition by selling the Co-Star for only $99.99. The launch date of the VIZIO Co-Star has not yet been announced, but you will be able to pre-order the device in July.

Our focus to deliver the best consumer experience continues with today's announcement of the Co-Star, which delivers a superior smart TV interface that anyone can add to their existing HDTV. We combined the powerful features of Google TVâ„¢ with an intuitive and easy to use interface, giving users the power to enjoy an entire world of entertainment.Matt McRaeVIZIO

Is Vizio’s $99 Google TV box with OnLive integration compelling enough to excite mainstream consumers? What will it take for Google to make a significant impact on the TV market?

VIZIO Launches The VIZIO Co-Starâ„¢ With Google TV Giving Users The Power To Turn Any HDTV Into The Ultimate Smart TV

IRVINE, Calif., June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — VIZIO, America’s #1 LCD HDTV Company*, announced today the launch of the highly anticipated VIZIO Co-Starâ„¢ Stream Player. Using the latest version of Google TVâ„¢, the VIZIO Co-Star makes it easy to transform any HDTV into the ultimate smart TV, merging live and streaming entertainment into one intuitive and easy experience. With VIZIO’s new stream player, users get instant access to thousands of apps, full-screen web browsing capabilities-via Google Chromeâ„¢ with Adobe® Flash® Player and HTML 5 support-and the best in streaming entertainment.

Unique to the stream player market, the VIZIO Co-Star offers the distinct advantage of connecting to a cable or satellite box. This allows viewers to enjoy live TV along with the web, apps, OnLive cloud gaming, and other streaming entertainment without interrupting what they’re already watching. This integrated experience along with the universal touchpad remote with keyboard eliminates the need to switch TV inputs or remotes to access alternative content and provides viewers with a truly smart TV experience.

“Our focus to deliver the best consumer experience continues with today’s announcement of the Co-Star, which delivers a superior smart TV interface that anyone can add to their existing HDTV,” said Matt McRae, VIZIO’s Chief Technology Officer. “We combined the powerful features of Google TVâ„¢ with an intuitive and easy to use interface, giving users the power to enjoy an entire world of entertainment.”

The added benefit of Google TV’s powerful search feature lets viewers easily browse websites, hunt for streaming movies or locate their favorite TV shows; and with picture-in-picture technology, it can all be done while simultaneously watching live TV action.

In addition to favorite apps such as Netflix®, Amazon Instant Video, M-GO, YouTube® and iHeartRadio, the VIZIO Co-Star is the first stream player to offer video games on demand through the OnLive® Game Service. OnLive allows users to demo, watch and play hundreds of top-tier video games directly from ‘the cloud’ via their VIZIO Co-Star, eliminating the need for users to own an independent game console. With easy access to thousands of apps through Google Play, Co-Star offers the most comprehensive stream player available today.

Complementing the overall experience, the VIZIO Co-Star includes a universal Bluetooth® remote with an innovative touchpad that lets you touch, tap, scroll and drag. A full QWERTY keyboard helps users search for their favorite entertainment. Plus, its universal feature makes it easy to control home entertainment devices with one remote.

The VIZIO Co-Star incorporates a number of power user features intended to satisfy the variety of user demands, starting with support for 1080p Full HD and 3D entertainment. Built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi provides easy wireless Internet access without unsightly wires. Integrated USB port connects to hard drives, keyboards and other peripherals. The VIZIO Co-Star even enables viewers to enjoy photos, music, and movies from any DLNA-enabled phone, tablet, or computer on the TV screen.

The VIZIO Co-Star exceeds expectations by combining a definitive user experience with a powerful smart TV platform, resulting in an all-in-one solution that brings the ultimate smart TV experience to any HDTV.

The VIZIO CO-Star will be available for pre-orders in July 2012 only on VIZIO.com for $99.99, with an introductory free shipping offer, while supplies last.

**High-speed/broadband Internet service and access equipment are required and not provided by VIZIO. Additional fees and/or subscriptions may be required for certain content and services. VIZIO makes no warranties, representations, or assurances of any kind as to the content, availability, or functionality of third party content or services.

Nick is a tech enthusiast who has a soft spot for HTC and its devices. He started HTCsource.com (the first HTC blog) back in 2007 and later joined the Android and Me family in the summer of 2010.

The $99 price point (sale/closeout/liquidation) of the Logitech Revue is what made them sell so well. The Revue got it done (720p mode….1080p mode….well to say it lags a lot would be an understatement) but wasn’t worth more than $99 at all…let alone what they were asking for to begin with.

I’m glad to see Vizio is pulling out all the stops. I’ve been satisfied with their newest TV lineup and even more satisfied with their new entry into the PC line. At this rate, they’ll be a big player in no time if this also lives up to the expectations and bars they’ve set elsewhere.

For this price, Vizio might have a top seller on their hands and off the shelves. It’s in the semi-impulse buy for the tech-heavy enthusiasts. Assuming the hardware isn’t completely outdated and the software unusably buggy, I’ll probably be picking one up.

To further boost sales, Vizio should also leave its bootloader unlocked for the dev community to play around with since it’s at a commodity price.

I’ve toyed around with OnLive for a few hours and it’s not too bad. The 3d graphics are rendered online and then streamed to you via a heavily compressed video feed. So the “gaming console” needs no more hardware uhmph than what it takes to watch Youtube. Add in a low-latency/high-speed internet connection and a controller or two, and you effectively have a very powerful gaming console right there even without powerful hardware!

I think that’s the goal with this. And there are a LOT of games available for the system. They have a few pricing models so you can choose how you want to game, whether it’s an “unlimited monthly pass” or you rent/buy each game one-at-a-time. I believe they have some demos and freebies as well.

If you haven’t done so, I urge you to check them out! That’s the only real way to know if they’re good enough for you or not. I believe there’s a PC client – that would likely be the closest to what you should expect with this system. The Android client likely has much worse graphics since the screens are much lower resolution.